Vestibule-diaphragm for cars.



PATENTED DEC. 13, 1904.

fi'a. D. FULLER.

VESTIBULE DIAPHRAGM FOR CARS.

LIUATI I UNITED STATES Patented December 13, I904.

PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL DOW FULLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ACME SUPPLY CO., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORAITION OF ILLINOIS.

VESTIBULE-DIAPHRAGIVI FOR CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 777,285, dated December 13, 1904.

Application filed May '7, 1903. Serial No. 1 6,113. (No model.)

To (LZZ 1.0700711, it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL Dow FULLER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vestibulc-Diaphrag-ms for Cars; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates more particularly to a railway-car-vestibule diaphragm, and is shown embodied in a construction providing an inner and an outer diaphragm of that class known as the Gould diaphragm. H eretofore with diaphragms of the class, inasmuch as an inner and an outer diaphragm are em- I ployed, the accordion-plaited fabric must necessarily be provided with comparatively narrow plaitsso narrow, in fact,as to afford comparatively little support across the head or top of the diaphragm. As a consequence, owingto the constant vibration of the railway-car when in motion, the top of the diaphragm is likely to sag downwardly, retaining water, cinders, or other matter thereon. Various attempts have been made to obviate this difficulty, and in some instances a metallic rod has been secured within the outer folds of the diaphragm and extending around the top thereof and down the legs. Owing to the extreme rigidity of this construction, the constant vibration, and side swing of the car, a comparatively short time sufiices to break said rod at the corners of the diaphragm,with the effect of perforating the diaphragm.

The object of this invention is to providea construction permitting the necessary freedom of movement of the diaphragm laterally of the car, but positively supporting the top of the diaphragm from sagging.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and more fully pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a vestibule-diaphragm embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary central section of the same taken longitudinally of the diaphragm. Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

As shown in said drawings, A indicates the usual vestibule face-plate of a car; A, the diaphragm face-plate connected therewith and between which face-plates the inner and the outer diaphragms are secured by having their outer edges riveted along the margins of said face-plates, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Said diaphragms are each constructed of a plurality of strips of fabric, such as cotton belting or the like,superposed and secured through their alternate edges to adjacent strips above and below, as shown in Fig. 2, thus affording accordion plaits. Preferably and for the pur pose of strengthening the top of the diaphragms, as well as permitting the same to fold close together, said diaphragms are constructed of straight leg-sections B and B, re spectively, and tops B2 and B. Said legs are constructed of strips of unequal length, arranged so that at the upper end of the leg the ends of alternate strips extend beyond the ends of intermediate strips. The tops B and B are constructed of strips of equal length so arranged as to provide at each end of the top alternate long and short ends, which are so arranged with respect to the legs that the short ends of the top strips correspond with the long ends of the legs, and the reverse. Corner-pieces C C, also constructed of strips of fabric, arranged to provide at each end alternate long and short ends, as described, for the top are secured within the ends of the top section of the diaphragm and outside of the adjacent leg-sections by means of transverse lines of stitching, which, as clearly shown in the drawings, are arranged staggering with each other, so that no two adjacent seams lie one upon the other. 7

As shown, the outer seams along the top of the diaphragms are made much broader than are the leg-seams, as described in my application for patent on car-vestibule diaphragms, filed May 7, 1903, Serial No. 156,114, thus stiffening the top of the diaphragm.

To afford still greater rigidity, while permitting the sides of the diaphragms to have considerable freedom of movement laterally of the car, straps or rods, of metal, D, or other suitable material are secured on one or more of the outer seams at the sides of the diaphragms, with the ends thereof extending above the leg to a sufficient height to afford pivotal engagement with the ends of a corresponding strap or bar D, which is riveted to an outer seam of the diaphragm-top, as shown in Fig. 3. Any preferred pivotal connection may be used to afford a joint between the upper ends of the straps D and the ends of the transverse strap or bar D. As shown, however, the adjacent ends are drilled and a rivet or bolt passed therethrough. Of course, if desired, several lines of stitching may be run along the broad top seam in either or both diaphragms, thus adding greatly to the rigidity and stiflness.

The operation is as follows: The vestibule face-plate and diaphragm face-plate are, as usual, castings or forgings of metal and afford a positive support for the diaphragm at each end. Owing to the considerable width across the top of the diaphragm it is desirable to supply the axial support afforded by the straps D and the strap D, hinged thereto. Usually it is sufficient to provide said straps or bars on alternate outer edges or angles. Obviously said straps support the top of the diaphragm against the constant jolting, vibration, and lateral swing of the car, though the diaphragm is permitted considerable movement laterally without injuring either the joints between the straps D and D or to the diaphragm, thus affording the requisite support while preventing strain upon the diaphragm. Obviously details of construction may be varied without departing from the principles of this invention.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination with a car-diaphragm comprising an accordion-plaited fabric, of a rigid strap or bar secured transversely to the top of the diaphragm, a bar or strap secured correspondingly on the outer side of each leg and a hinged connection with the horizontal bar and side bar.

2. Thecombination With a car-vestib ule diaphragm, of one or more supports for the top thereof, comprising a bar rigidly secured externally along the top of the diaphragm and hinged at its ends to corresponding bars rigidly secured externally of the legs of the diaphragm.

3. A car-vestibule diaphragm comprising a plurality of accordion plaits, of a rigid bar secured externally to the top of one of said plaits, like bars rigidly secured to the corresponding plaits of the diaphragm-legs and pivotally connected therewith, the adjacent plait of the diaphragm-top sewed to provide broad stiff webs of fabric.

4. The combination with a car-vestibule diaphragm comprising a plurality of accordionfolded plaits of fabric, of a rigid bar secured along the top of alternate plaits, similar bars rigidly secured to corresponding leg-plaits and hinged to the top bars, the top folds of intermediate plaits being sewed to provide a broad stiff web, the joints of said diaphragms at the junction of the top and legs comprising staggered transverse seams.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL DOW FULLER.

Witnesses:

A. O. ODELL, W. WV. WITHENBURY. 

